Can we visit our missionary?
Generally, no. Family and friends don’t visit during a mission. The mission president may approve a rare exception. Here’s what the Church’s Missionary Standards say, and what to do instead.
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The rule
“Generally, family and friends should not visit you during your mission.”
- The exception: special circumstances, and only if the mission president approves.
- If approved: the visit is short and doesn’t get in the way of missionary work.
- Also: it shouldn’t inconvenience their companion or the people they teach, or create a money problem for the family.
Source: Missionary Standards 3.9.6
The MTC and the airport
No visits at the MTC, or when they leave.
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At the MTCThe schedule doesn’t allow visits. That includes meeting at or near the Provo Utah Temple. Families can still take a Provo MTC tour.
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At the airportChurch leaders and security offices ask for no visitors at the airport or MTC when missionaries leave.
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Drop-off dayHow saying goodbye works: Provo MTC drop-off →
Source: Provo MTC FAQ
What to do instead
Stay close without a visit.
- Step 1Talk on P-day Missionaries can call, text or video chat every week. Staying in touch →
- Step 2Special days They’re encouraged to call on days like Christmas. Holiday & birthday calls →
- Step 3Write Email and letters work any week. Letters & packages →
- Step 4 Share in a lesson With the mission president’s OK, someone from home may share an experience online with a person they teach.
If you need them
Urgent news, and the end of the mission.
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Need to reach them?Contact the mission president first, not your missionary.
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Their emergencyIf your missionary has an emergency, mission leaders will contact your family.
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Pickup at the endWhat families can and can’t do: Homecoming →
Questions
Tap to open · 6 common questions
Can we visit our missionary?
Generally, no. Missionary Standards 3.9.6 says family and friends should not visit during the mission. In special circumstances, the mission president may approve an exception.
Who can approve a visit?
Only the mission president, and only under special circumstances. An approved visit should be short and not interfere with missionary duties (Missionary Standards 3.9.6).
Can we visit our missionary at the MTC?
No. The Provo MTC says the schedule does not allow visits from family or friends. That includes visits at or near the Provo Utah Temple, the MTC or neighboring buildings.
Can we see them at the airport when they leave?
Church leaders and security offices ask that missionaries not have visitors at the airport or MTC when they leave for their missions (Provo MTC FAQ).
How can we stay close instead?
Missionaries can call, text or video chat with family every week on P-day, and are encouraged to reach out on special days like Christmas. Email and letters work any week.
Is this the same as an LDS mission?
Yes. This guide is for families of missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Church asks that its full name be used.
Sources and fine print
Tap to open · 2 official pages + fine print
- Missionary Standards for Disciples of Jesus Christ (2026), 3.9.1, 3.9.5, 3.9.6 “Personal Visits from Family and Friends” and 3.9.7 (official)
- Provo MTC On-Site Training FAQ (official)
Fine print
- 3.9.6 also asks that a visit not pull a missionary’s thoughts away from their service.
- The Provo MTC says missionaries aren’t excused to attend events like funerals or weddings.
- More on hard news at home: see “If something happens at home” in the while-they-serve guide.
. Official pages, your call packet and the Missionary Portal are always the final word. GotMyCall is unofficial and not affiliated with or endorsed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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